Tuesday, October 14, 2014

14 year old newcomer Archie Cox from Cirencester has landed the lead role in the new BBC adaptation of Laurie Lee's classic memoir of the Cotswolds, Cider With Rosie.

The casting directors searched local Gloucestershire schools to find boys with authentic accents and spotted Archie, who they described as "an exciting new discovery", despite the fact that he has no previous acting experience.

Archie will star as Laurie know as 'Lol' in the story which chronicles his journey from boy to man, first love, loss and family upheaval. Lol’s boyhood escapades
take place in a rural world as yet untouched by electricity and cars - a
place suspended between history and modernity.

Fellow newcomer Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (represented by Lou Coulson), the 16 year old daughter of actors Andy Serkis and Lorraine
Ashbourne, will play the author's cousin, the Rosie of the title.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Emma Curtis (represented by Gordon and French) with play Marj.

The drama will be directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, and is adapted by Ben Vanstone.

Ed Rubin, Head of Film and Television, Origin Pictures, says: “We are
thrilled to be bringing Laurie Lee's classic and much cherished memoir
to the screen, with such a terrific cast of top British acting talent
and exciting new discoveries. The combination of Ben's vibrant
adaptation and Philippa's inimitable direction will make this new
version of Cider With Rosie a real treat for BBC One next year.”

Cider With Rosie has begun filming on location in Gloucestershire and will air in 2015 on BBC One as part of its season of classic 20th century literature.